Beverage container holder for vehicles

ABSTRACT

A beverage container holder for vehicles is disclosed. An example embodiment includes: a container holder; and one or more anchors removably attached to the container holder. The beverage container holder for vehicles can include one or more anchors having a compressible material portion. The beverage container holder for vehicles can be further configured with a removably attachable strap.

PRIORITY PATENT APPLICATION

This non-provisional patent application draws priority from U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/292,202; filed Dec. 21, 2021.This present non-provisional patent application draws priority from thereferenced patent application. The entire disclosure of the referencedpatent application is considered part of the disclosure of the presentapplication and is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or thepatent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever. The following notice applies to the disclosure providedherein and to the drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright2020-2022, Maxine PAUNOVIC, Dean PAUNOVIC, and Kurt SANDIFORTH; AllRights Reserved.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to beverage containers and holdersfor beverage containers, and particularly although not exclusively, to abeverage container holder for vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Beverage containers, such as plastic water bottles, HydroFlask™containers, etc., have become ubiquitous. The utility and convenience ofthese beverage containers for hydration throughout the day has made themvery popular. In particular, these beverage containers are oftentransported or used in vehicles for hydration while driving or for useat a destination. However, most vehicles are not configured to retainlarger beverage containers in cup holders or other receptacles in thevehicle. As a result, larger beverage containers can roll around or flyoff seats while a vehicle is in motion. User inconvenience and safetyissues can result from unrestrained beverage containers in a movingvehicle.

SUMMARY

According to various example embodiments of the disclosed subject matteras described herein, there is disclosed, illustrated, and claimed abeverage container holder for vehicles. Example embodiments of thedisclosed beverage container holder include one or more containerholders, a removably attachable and adjustable strap, and an anchorattachment loop strip attached to a side of the container holder. Theexample embodiments of the disclosed beverage container holder alsoinclude one or more removably attachable anchors in various sizes andshapes. The anchors provide a securing mechanism to confine thecontainer holder, and the beverage container therein, to a particulardesired position within a vehicle. The anchor serves as a wedge that canbe inserted between the seat, floorboard, and/or the vehicle console tosecure the beverage containers so they do not topple over. The anchorworks both in the front seat and the back seats of the vehicle. In anexample embodiment, the anchors can be made with foam or othercompressible material so the anchor is soft enough to wedge in and thenexpand between the seats. The anchor foam can be covered with a clothcovering. Example embodiments of the disclosed beverage container holdercan include a plurality of container holders, which can be attachedtogether with straps, snaps, or Velcro™, to keep the plurality ofcontainer holders from swinging forward. The example embodiments caninclude a seat version, for which a smaller anchor can be wedged betweenthe top and the bottom of the seat. The example embodiment can include astrap that goes around the headrest or under a console top cover.

Example embodiments of the disclosed beverage container holder can befabricated from fabric, with the top opening having a rigid plastic,wire, or stiff leather perimeter, so that the opening doesn't crushunder the weight of the beverage container inserted therein. However, invarious embodiments, the beverage container holder can be fabricatedfrom a variety of materials including nylon, cotton, canvas, syntheticmaterials, plastic, fiberglass, bamboo, wood, metal, or other materialsuitable for retaining a beverage container. Example embodiments aredescribed in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in thefigures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles;

FIG. 2 illustrates example embodiments of the beverage container holderfor vehicles with removably attachable anchors in various sizes andshapes;

FIG. 3 illustrates a detail of an example embodiment of the beveragecontainer holder for vehicles showing the anchor attachment loop strip;

FIG. 4 illustrates a detail of an example embodiment of the beveragecontainer holder for vehicles showing the anchor attachment clip;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a double beverage containerholder for vehicles with a removably attachable strap;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles in use in a vehicle and secured between the seatswith one or more anchors;

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles in use in a vehicle and secured with one or moreanchors on the floorboard in front of a vehicle seat;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles in use in a vehicle and secured between the seatsand behind the center console with one or more anchors;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles in use in a vehicle and secured on a seat with aremovably attachable strap looped around the headrest of the seat;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles in use in a vehicle and secured behind a seat with aremovably attachable strap looped around the headrest of the seat;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles in use in a vehicle and secured on a seat with aremovably attachable strap looped around the headrest of the seat;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles in use in a vehicle and secured on or adjacent to aseat with an anchor loop looped around a seat belt receptacle;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles in use in a vehicle and secured between the seatsand behind the center console with a removably attachable strap loopedthrough a top cover of the center console;

FIG. 15 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles with multiple anchor attachment loop strips; and

FIG. 16 illustrates a flow diagram representing a sequence of operationsperformed in a method according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown,by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the disclosedsubject matter can be practiced. It is understood that other embodimentsmay be utilized and structural changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosed subject matteras described herein, there is disclosed, illustrated, and claimed abeverage container holder for vehicles. The example embodimentsdisclosed herein provide an apparatus, system, and method implemented asa beverage container holder for vehicles.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles 100. Referring now to FIG. 1 in an exampleembodiment, the beverage container holder 100 includes a containerholder 110, a removably attachable and adjustable strap 120, and ananchor attachment loop strip 112 attached to an outer side of thecontainer holder 110. The container holder 110 is configured as a hollowvessel or cylinder with one open end and one closed end. The vessel orcylinder is configured to provide a receptacle for holding beveragecontainers, such as plastic water bottles, HydroFlask™ containers, etc.The container holder 110 can be fabricated from a variety of materialsincluding nylon, cotton, canvas, synthetic materials, plastic,fiberglass, bamboo, wood, metal, wire mesh, or other material suitablefor retaining a beverage container. The container holder 110 can includeone or more attachment snaps or other attachment mechanisms on an outersurface to which strap 120 can be attached. The container holder 110 canfurther include one or more anchor attachment loop strips 112 attachedto an outer surface of the container holder 110. As described in moredetail below, the anchor attachment loop strips 112 can be used toremovably attach one or more anchors 130 to the container holder 110.FIG. 1 also shows a removably attachable and adjustable strap 120 thatcan be removably attached to the container holder 110 with one or moreattachment snaps or other attachment mechanisms. The length of the strap120 can be adjusted using a provided strap adjustment clip.

FIG. 2 illustrates example embodiments of the beverage container holderfor vehicles 100 with one or more removably attachable anchors 130 invarious sizes and shapes. The anchors 130 provide a securing mechanismto confine the container holder 110, and the beverage container therein,to a particular desired position within the vehicle. The anchor 130serves as a wedge that can be inserted between the vehicle seat, thefloorboard, and/or the vehicle center console to secure the beveragecontainers so they do not topple over. The anchor 130 works both in thefront seats and the back seats of the vehicle.

In an example embodiment, the anchors 130 can be made with foam or othercompressible material, so the anchor 130 is soft enough to wedge in andthen expand between the seats. The foam portions of anchor 130 can becovered with a cloth covering or other protective material. Anchors 130can include a strap portion, which can be attached to the containerholder 110 using either snaps, an anchor attachment clip 132, or otherattachment mechanism as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and described below.Anchors 130 can also be attached to the container holder 110 withVelcro™ or other hook and loop mechanisms. In the example embodimentshown in FIG. 2 , the anchors 130 can also include an anchor loop 134attached to an end of the anchor 130. As shown and described in moredetail below, the anchor loop 134 can be looped around a seat beltreceptacle or other portion of the vehicle to facilitate convenient andsecure retention of the container holder 110 within the vehicle. As alsoshown and described in more detail below, the example embodimentsprovide and enable various ways for positioning the container holder110, with or without one or more attached anchors 130, within a vehicleto provide convenient and secure retention of the container holder 110within the vehicle.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detail of an example embodiment of the beveragecontainer holder for vehicles 100 showing the anchor attachment loopstrip 112. FIG. 4 illustrates a detail of an example embodiment of thebeverage container holder for vehicles 100 showing the anchor attachmentclip 132. The anchor attachment clip 132 is configured to slide into andlock within a loop provided by the anchor attachment loop strips 112attached to an outer surface of the container holder 110 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 4 . The anchor attachment loop strip 112 provides aplurality of loops extending vertically from the top of the containerholder 110 to the bottom. As a result, the anchor attachment clip 132can be placed at any vertical position on the side of the containerholder 110 to facilitate convenient and secure retention within thevehicle. The anchor attachment clip 132 can include a locking clip(shown in FIG. 4 ) to lock the anchor attachment clip 132 within a loopprovided by the anchor attachment loop strips 112 as shown in FIGS. 2and 3 .

FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a double beverage containerholder for vehicles with a removably attachable strap 120. As shown inFIG. 5 , a plurality of container holders 110 can be removably attachedtogether with snaps or clips provided on an outer surface of eachcontainer holder 110 at the top and bottom. Additionally, as shown inFIG. 5 , a removably attachable strap 120 can be attached to onecontainer holder 110 or to the plurality of container holders 110. Inthis manner, the one or more container holders 110 can be removablyattached to strap 120, which can be used to secure the one or morecontainer holders 110 to the vehicle as described in more detail below.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles 100 in use in a vehicle and secured between theseats with one or more anchors 130. As shown in FIG. 6 , the anchors 130can be attached to the container holder 110 as described above. Theanchors 130 can be wedged between the seat cushions and floorboard orcenter console of the vehicle. Because of the compressible foam withinthe anchors 130, the anchors 130 apply a force to the seat cushions andfloorboard or center console, which serves to hold the anchors 130 inplace within the vehicle. The container holder 110, attached to theanchors 130, is also held in place because of the stationary anchors130. As a result, the combination of one or more anchors 130 attached tothe container holder 110 can be conveniently secured in a vehicle toprevent unwanted movement of a beverage container placed into thecontainer holder 110.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles 100 in use in a vehicle and secured with one or moreanchors 130 on the floor in front of a vehicle seat. As shown in FIGS.7-8 , the anchor 130 can be attached to the container holder 110 asdescribed above. The anchor 130 can be wedged between the seat cushionand the center console of the vehicle. Because of the compressible foamwithin the anchor 130, the anchor 130 applies a force to the seatcushion and the center console, which serves to hold the anchor 130 inplace within the vehicle. The container holder 110, attached to theanchor 130, is also held in place on the vehicle floorboard in front ofthe seat because of the stationary anchor 130.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles 100 in use in a vehicle and secured between theseats and behind the center console with one or more anchors 130. Asshown in FIG. 9 , the anchors 130 can be attached to the containerholder 110 as described above. The anchors 130 can be wedged between theseat cushions and center console of the vehicle. The container holder110, attached to the anchors 130, can be placed behind the centerconsole and between the seats. Because of the compressible foam withinthe anchors 130, the anchors 130 apply a force to the seat cushions andcenter console, which serves to hold the anchors 130 in place within thevehicle. The container holder 110, attached to the anchors 130, is alsoheld in place because of the stationary anchors 130. The containerholder 110, attached to the anchor 130, is held in place behind thecenter console and between the seats because of the stationary anchors130. As a result, the combination of one or more anchors 130 attached tothe container holder 110 can be conveniently secured in a vehicle toprevent unwanted movement of a beverage container placed into thecontainer holder 110.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles 100 in use in a vehicle and secured on a seat with aremovably attachable strap 120 looped around the headrest of the seat.As shown in FIG. 10 , the removably attachable and adjustable strap 120can be attached to one or more container holders 110 as described above.The removably attachable strap 120 can be looped around the headrest ofthe vehicle seat or otherwise secured to a portion of the vehicle.Because the strap 120 can be secured to the vehicle, the attached one ormore container holders 110 are also held in place because of thestationary strap 120. The one or more container holders 110, attached tothe strap 120, are held in place on a seat of the vehicle because of thestationary strap 120. As a result, the combination of the strap 120attached to the one or more container holders 110 can be convenientlysecured in a vehicle to prevent unwanted movement of beverage containersplaced into the one or more container holders 110.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles 100 in use in a vehicle and secured behind a seatwith a removably attachable strap 120 looped around the headrest of theseat. As shown in FIG. 11 , the removably attachable and adjustablestrap 120 can be attached to one or more container holders 110 asdescribed above. The removably attachable strap 120 can be looped aroundthe headrest of the vehicle seat or otherwise secured to a portion ofthe vehicle. Because the strap 120 can be secured to the vehicle, theattached one or more container holders 110 are also held in placebecause of the stationary strap 120. The one or more container holders110, attached to the strap 120, are held in place behind a seat of thevehicle because of the stationary strap 120. As a result, thecombination of the strap 120 attached to the one or more containerholders 110 can be conveniently secured in a vehicle to prevent unwantedmovement of beverage containers placed into the one or more containerholders 110.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles 100 in use in a vehicle and secured on a seat with aremovably attachable strap 120 looped around the headrest of the seat.As shown in FIG. 12 , the removably attachable and adjustable strap 120can be attached to one or more container holders 110 as described above.The removably attachable strap 120 can be looped around the headrest ofthe vehicle seat or otherwise secured to a portion of the vehicle.Because the strap 120 can be secured to the vehicle, the attached one ormore container holders 110 are also held in place because of thestationary strap 120. The one or more container holders 110, attached tothe strap 120, are held in place on a seat of the vehicle because of thestationary strap 120. As a result, the combination of the strap 120attached to the one or more container holders 110 can be convenientlysecured in a vehicle to prevent unwanted movement of beverage containersplaced into the one or more container holders 110.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles 100 in use in a vehicle and secured on or adjacentto a seat with an anchor loop 134 looped around a seat belt receptacle.FIG. 13 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles 100 in use in a vehicle and secured adjacent to avehicle seat with one or more anchors 130 having an attached anchor loop134. As described above, the anchors 130 can be attached to thecontainer holder 110. As shown in FIG. 13 , the anchor loop 134,attached to the one or more anchors 130 can be looped around a seat beltreceptacle or other portion of the vehicle. The anchor loop 134 servesto hold the anchors 130 in place within the vehicle. The containerholder 110, attached to the anchors 130, is also held in place becauseof the stationary anchors 130. As a result, the combination of one ormore anchors 130 with anchor loops 134, the one or more anchors 130being attached to the container holder 110 can be conveniently securedin a vehicle to prevent unwanted movement of a beverage container placedinto the container holder 110.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles 100 in use in a vehicle and secured between theseats and behind the center console with a removably attachable strap120 looped through a top cover of the center console. As shown in FIG.14 , the removably attachable and adjustable strap 120 can be attachedto one or more container holders 110 as described above. The removablyattachable strap 120 can be looped through a top cover of the centerconsole or otherwise secured to a portion of the vehicle. Because thestrap 120 can be secured to the vehicle, the attached one or morecontainer holders 110 are also held in place because of the stationarystrap 120. The one or more container holders 110, attached to the strap120, are held in place between the seats and behind a center console ofthe vehicle because of the stationary strap 120. As a result, thecombination of the strap 120 attached to the one or more containerholders 110 can be conveniently secured in a vehicle to prevent unwantedmovement of beverage containers placed into the one or more containerholders 110.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example embodiment of the beverage containerholder for vehicles 100 with multiple anchor attachment loop strips 112.As shown in FIG. 15 , multiple anchor attachment loop strips 112 can beprovided down the front, back, and/or sides of the beverage containerholder 110. The variable placement of the multiple anchor attachmentloop strips 112 enables a variety of placement options for the beveragecontainer holder 110 within a vehicle. In particular, the multipleanchor attachment loop strips 112 enable the removably attachableanchors 130 to be attached to the beverage container holder 110 atvarious locations to conform the beverage container holder 110 andremovably attachable anchors 130 to a particular vehicle designconfiguration for a tight and secure fit within the vehicle. Themultiple anchor attachment loop strips 112 also enable a plurality ofremovably attachable anchors 130 to be attached to the beveragecontainer holder 110 at various locations.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flow diagram representing a sequence of operationsperformed in a method according to an example embodiment. In an exampleembodiment, the method can include: fabricating a container holder as ahollow vessel with one open end and one closed end (operation block1010); applying an attachment mechanism to an outside surface of thecontainer holder (operation block 1020); and fabricating an anchorconfigured to attach to the attachment mechanism on the containerholder, the anchor including a compressible material portion (operationblock 1030). The method can further include fabricating a removablyattachable strap configured to attach to the container holder (operationblock 1040).

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of components and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the descriptionprovided herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived, suchthat structural and logical substitutions and changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of this disclosure. The figures hereinare merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The description herein may include terms, such as “up”, “down”, “upper”,“lower”, “first”, “second”, etc. that are used for descriptive purposesonly and are not to be construed as limiting. The elements, materials,geometries, dimensions, and sequence of operations may all be varied tosuit particular applications. Parts of some embodiments may be includedin, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. While the foregoingexamples of dimensions and ranges are considered typical, the variousembodiments are not limited to such dimensions or ranges.

The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature and gist of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submittedwith the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limitthe scope or meaning of the claims.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are groupedtogether in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining thedisclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments have more featuresthan are expressly recited in each claim. Thus, the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separate embodiment.

As described herein, a beverage container holder for vehicles isdisclosed. Although the disclosed subject matter has been described withreference to several example embodiments, it may be understood that thewords that have been used are words of description and illustration,rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purviewof the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the disclosed subject matter inall its aspects. Although the disclosed subject matter has beendescribed with reference to particular means, materials, andembodiments, the disclosed subject matter is not intended to be limitedto the particulars disclosed; rather, the subject matter extends to allfunctionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are withinthe scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage container holder for vehiclescomprising: container holder; and one or more anchors removably attachedto the container holder.
 2. The beverage container holder for vehiclesof claim 1 wherein the one or more anchors include a compressiblematerial portion.
 3. The beverage container holder for vehicles of claim1 being further configured with a removably attachable strap.
 4. Thebeverage container holder for vehicles of claim 1 being furtherconfigured with a removably attachable strap attached with snaps.
 5. Thebeverage container holder for vehicles of claim 1 wherein the containerholder includes an anchor attachment loop strip.
 6. The beveragecontainer holder for vehicles of claim 1 including at least one anchorattachment clip to attach the one or more anchors to the containerholder.
 7. The beverage container holder for vehicles of claim 1including a second container holder removably attachable to thecontainer holder.
 8. The beverage container holder for vehicles of claim1 wherein the one or more anchors are configured to wedge between a seatcushion and floorboard or center console of a vehicle.
 9. The beveragecontainer holder for vehicles of claim 1 being further configured with aremovably attachable strap configured to loop around a headrest of aseat of a vehicle.
 10. The beverage container holder for vehicles ofclaim 1 wherein the container holder includes a plurality of anchorattachment loop strips.
 11. A method for producing a beverage containerholder for vehicles, the method comprising: fabricating a containerholder as a hollow vessel with one open end and one closed end; applyingan attachment mechanism to an outside surface of the container holder;and fabricating an anchor configured to attach to the attachmentmechanism on the container holder, the anchor including a compressiblematerial portion.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the compressiblematerial portion is a foam material.
 13. The method of claim 11including fabricating a removably attachable strap configured to attachto the container holder.
 14. The method of claim 11 includingfabricating a removably attachable strap configured to attach to thecontainer holder with snaps.
 15. The method of claim 11 includingfabricating the container holder to include an anchor attachment loopstrip.
 16. The method of claim 11 including fabricating at least oneanchor attachment clip to attach the one or more anchors to thecontainer holder.
 17. The method of claim 11 including attaching asecond container holder removably attachable to the container holder.18. The method of claim 11 including wedging the one or more anchorsbetween a seat cushion and floorboard or center console of a vehicle.19. The method of claim 11 including fabricating a removably attachablestrap to attach to the container holder and looping the strap around aheadrest of a seat of a vehicle.
 20. The method of claim 11 includingfabricating the container holder to include a plurality of anchorattachment loop strips.